Today a woman whose Scottish heritage gives her the right to wear the badge of Clan Ross came in for a tattoo to honor her father. The Latin motto SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT translates to "Success nourishes hope" and the symbol within the badge is a dexter hand holding a garland of laurel, a traditional winner's wreath.
Clan Ross Badge Tattoo by Pat FIsh
Today a man came in requesting this ever-popular Celtic symbol, the Tree of Life. Placing it on the back of his calf gives it a prominent placement, and the boldness of the rendering will allow it to age gracefully no matter how much sunlight he exposes it to.
Celtic Tree of Life Tattoo by Pat Fish
Yesterday a chivalrous gentleman returned for the third and final session on this Celtic knot half-sleeve. It is bold body armor, fitted to his musculature, worthy of a knight. Today we begin a new pattern, continuing a similar custom knotwork all the way down to the wrist. He flies in from far away, so he is toughing out two sessions in a row to maximize his time here. Brave and strong!
Celtic 'Valiant Sleeve' Tattoo by Pat Fish
Celtic 'Valiant Sleeve' continuation by Pat Fish
Today I was pleased to do this heraldic badge for a member of the Scottish Highland Clan Stewart. The Latin motto VIRESCIT VULNERE VIRTUS translates to "Courage grows strong at a wound" and is represented by the pelican stabbing at her own breast to feed her young with her blood. The heraldic pelican is represented in this manner in ancient texts, this bird and her young are copied from a woodcut reproduced in a book published in 1909.
Scottish Clan Stewart Badge Tattoo by Pat Fish
